updated 09:30 am EDT, Tue April 27, 2010

Victory could block iPhone, other devices

The US International Trade Commission has officially agreed to investigate a patent infringement allegation against Apple, submitted by Taiwan's Elan Microelectronics. The two companies have been involved in a long-running legal dispute, as Elan accuses Apple of violating patents related to multi-touch technology. On the basis of one patent, Elan in late March filed a motion with the ITC to block US sales of infringing products, potentially including the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, MacBook and Magic Mouse.

An Apple spokeswoman has refused to comment. The lawsuit, which is being handled separately by the US District Court for Northern California, should take another step forward when the next hearing is held on June 21st. Apple is unlikely to allow its products to be blocked, given the possible financial damage; as with most such cases on this scale, a settlement and/or licensing agreement is more likely.

OK

If I got this right, these patent claims are being fired against Apple. So this is where we're supposed to scream about how the patent system needs to get fixed in the US, and that these patent squatters like Elan should be thrown off the empire state building, for they should have created devices using their patent instead of just letting them lie there.

Oh, and we also should be able to make mockery of the West Texas Court system, but, for some silly reason, this is being handled in Northern California. Just shows you how stupid they are, they don't even know what court to sue in.

Oh testudo....

Why are you sooooo anti-Apple?

Apple deserves protection for their IP. They've earned it, they have the right to defend it.
Wanna-be's like Elan should be burned at the steak for abusing the patent system and making a mockery of it. How dare they sue Apple for anything touch-related? APPLE OWN's TOUCH. It's a good thing Elan doesn't make a product with the name 'PAD' in it. Apple own's that too.